The Ashanti Regional Police Command has disclosed the sentencing of Abdul Munaf Lawal, a 32-year-old man, to 35 years’ imprisonment with hard labour for defrauding a victim of $50,000 under false pretenses.
According to a statement signed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Godwin Ahianyo, Head of Public Affairs for the Ashanti Regional Police, the conviction marks the conclusion of a case first reported in July 2023.
Lawal was accused of collecting USD 50,000 from a complainant under the pretext of converting the money into Ghana Cedis, but he failed to return the equivalent amount and absconded shortly after receiving the funds.
Police investigations eventually led to his arrest in Accra on June 27, 2025, in connection with a similar fraud case. He was later transferred to the Ashanti Regional Police Command, where further investigations confirmed his involvement in the earlier case.
The victim was charged and arraigned before the Asokwa Circuit Court 1, presided over by His Honour Mr. Fred Obikyere (Esq.).
He initially pleaded not guilty and was remanded into custody pending trial.
But, during court proceedings on September 3, 2025, Lawal changed his plea to guilty. The prosecution informed the court that the accused had a prior criminal record, having previously served 24 months in prison for theft.
